![]() ![]() The following year, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which would serve as their home for the next 30 years. When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots were placed in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division, where they still play. They did not appear again in an AFL or NFL post-season game for another 13 years. They subsequently lost the AFL championship game to the San Diego Chargers 51–10. The 1963 season saw the franchise's first playoff win over Buffalo to clinch the division. Nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park (shared with baseball's Boston Red Sox), and Boston College's Alumni Stadium all served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. The Patriots never had a regular home stadium in the AFL. Immediately thereafter, artist Phil Bissell of The Boston Globe developed the " Pat Patriot" logo. The most popular choice – and the one that Sullivan selected – was the "Boston Patriots", with " Patriots" referring to the colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution and in July 1776 declared the United States of America an independent nation, which heavily involved the then-colony of Massachusetts. The following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football team's official name. On November 16, 1959, Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth and final franchise of the developing American Football League (AFL). (Image: Minute Man statue in Concord, Massachusetts) The Patriots were named after the colonists who rebelled against British control during the Revolutionary War, which was locally relevant due to the colony of Massachusetts playing a pivotal role in American independence. ![]() Other NFL records held by the franchise include the most playoff wins (37), the most wins in a 10-year period (126 from 2003 to 2012), the longest winning streak of regular season and playoff games (21 from October 2003 to October 2004), the most consecutive winning seasons (19 from 2001 to 2019), the most consecutive conference championship appearances (8 from 2011 to 2018), the most consecutive division titles (11 from 2009 to 2019), the only undefeated 16-game regular season (2007), and the highest postseason winning percentage (.638). The Brady–Belichick era, regarded as one of the greatest sports dynasties, would see the Patriots claim nearly every major Super Bowl record. Generally unsuccessful prior to the 21st century, the franchise enjoyed a period of dominance under head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady from 2001 to 2019. The Patriots hold the records for most Super Bowl wins (6, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers), appearances (11), and losses (5, tied with the Denver Broncos). The team began utilizing Gillette Stadium for home games the same year. Home games were played at Foxboro Stadium until 2002 when the stadium was demolished alongside the opening of Gillette Stadium. As part of the move, the team changed its name to the New England Patriots. The Patriots played their home games at various stadiums throughout Boston until the franchise moved to Foxborough in 1971. įounded in 1959 as the Boston Patriots, the team was a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) before joining the NFL in 1970 through the AFL–NFL merger. As of 2023, the Patriots are the second most valuable sports team in the world and have sold out every home game since 1994. The franchise is owned by Robert Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994. The Patriots play home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is 22 miles (35 km) southwest of downtown Boston. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Boston TE Party (offensive TE corps 2010–2012). ![]()
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